These 15 plants deliver the best of both worlds—growing with the structure of shrubs while spreading wide like ground covers.
They fill space fast, suppress weeds, and bring texture and volume to garden beds. Ideal for slopes, borders, and low-maintenance landscapes, these shrubby spreaders work hard and look great doing it.
1. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Low-growing evergreen with branches that spread outward rather than upward. Creeping juniper forms a dense mat of blue-green foliage that prevents weeds while reaching heights of 1-2 feet.
Hardy in zones 3-9, this drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and poor soil conditions. Many varieties exist, from ‘Blue Rug’ with its silvery-blue needles to ‘Bar Harbor’ with its purplish winter tones.
Once established, creeping juniper requires almost no maintenance and can cover slopes that would otherwise erode.
2. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Nicknamed ‘rockspray’ for its ability to cascade over rocks, this semi-evergreen beauty features herringbone-patterned branches that grow horizontally before arching upward at the tips.
Small pink flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries that persist through winter, attracting birds to your garden. The tiny leaves turn bronze-red in fall, adding seasonal interest.
Growing 2-3 feet tall with a spread of 6-8 feet, cotoneaster works wonderfully along borders or spilling over retaining walls.
3. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Native to North America, bearberry earned its name because bears enjoy eating its bright red fruits. The glossy, paddle-shaped leaves stay green year-round, creating a carpet-like effect across the ground.
Pink bell-shaped flowers emerge in spring, developing into berries by late summer. Though slow-growing at first, bearberry eventually reaches 6-12 inches tall while spreading 3-6 feet wide.
Perfectly suited for sandy, acidic soils where other plants struggle, this tough plant handles coastal conditions and cold winters with ease.
4. Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
Mounding shrubs that create waves of color throughout the growing season. The dwarf varieties like ‘Little Princess’ or ‘Magic Carpet’ grow just 18-24 inches tall while spreading 2-3 feet wide.
Vibrant pink or white flower clusters cover the plants in summer, attracting butterflies and pollinators. Many varieties feature colorful foliage ranging from gold to burgundy, providing interest even when not blooming.
Easy to grow in average soil with moderate moisture, Japanese spirea responds well to pruning if you want to control its spread.
5. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum calycinum)
Sunny yellow flowers with prominent stamens brighten this ground-covering shrub from early summer through fall. Growing 12-18 inches tall, St. John’s Wort spreads by underground stems to form a dense mat of semi-evergreen foliage.
The blue-green leaves create an attractive backdrop for the 2-inch wide golden blossoms. After flowering, interesting seed pods develop, adding textural interest to winter gardens.
Remarkably adaptable to different light conditions, this plant performs well in everything from full sun to partial shade.
6. Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
Imagine butter-yellow flowers dancing above finely-textured foliage from late spring until frost. Shrubby cinquefoil forms a low mound 2-4 feet tall and equally wide, with branches that arch outward to cover ground.
Modern varieties come in colors ranging from white to pink and orange, though yellow remains the most common. The small compound leaves resemble those of strawberry plants, turning slightly silver in drought conditions.
Extremely cold-hardy (surviving to zone 2), this native plant attracts butterflies while resisting deer browsing.
7. Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii)
Bottlebrush-like white flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring, creating a magical effect in the garden. Reaching just 2-3 feet in height with a similar spread, dwarf fothergilla functions as both ground cover and structural shrub.
The rounded, blue-green leaves transform into a spectacular show of orange, red, and yellow in fall. Native to southeastern U.S. wetlands, this plant performs surprisingly well in average garden conditions.
Gardeners love its multi-season interest and ability to thrive in partially shaded locations where other flowering shrubs struggle.
8. Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Arching branches laden with tiny red berries create a living tapestry across the ground. Unlike its taller cousins, cranberry cotoneaster stays low at 1-3 feet tall while spreading 3-6 feet wide through gracefully mounding growth.
Small pink flowers appear in late spring, followed by abundant cranberry-red fruits that persist well into winter. The small, rounded leaves form a dense cover that effectively suppresses weeds.
Particularly effective when planted on slopes or allowed to spill over walls, this adaptable plant tolerates poor soil and urban conditions.
9. Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Clusters of plump white berries hang like tiny snowballs from arching branches in fall and winter. Native to North American woodlands, snowberry grows 2-4 feet tall with a spreading habit that helps stabilize slopes and fill woodland edges.
Tiny pink bell-shaped flowers bloom in summer, attracting hummingbirds before developing into the distinctive white fruits. The blue-green oval leaves create a soft texture throughout the growing season.
Wildlife value is exceptional – birds rely on the berries during winter months when food is scarce.
10. Compact Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’)
Famous for spectacular crimson fall color, the compact burning bush grows 6-8 feet tall but can be kept shorter through pruning. Its horizontal branching pattern creates a wide spread that can reach 8-10 feet if given space.
Interesting corky ridges line the stems, adding winter interest after leaves drop. Though the greenish-yellow summer flowers are inconspicuous, small red fruits split open in fall to reveal orange seeds.
Plant as a foundation shrub or allow it to naturalize in woodland settings where its spreading habit controls erosion.
11. Sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis)
Intensely fragrant white flowers perfume the winter garden from this evergreen spreader. Growing just 1-2 feet tall, sweetbox slowly expands outward through underground stems to form a glossy ground cover in shaded areas.
The small, vanilla-scented blossoms appear in late winter, followed by black berries that persist through summer. Leathery, dark green leaves maintain their color year-round, even in cold climates.
Perfect for planting near entryways or patios where its winter fragrance can be appreciated during the bleakest months.
12. Creeping Mahonia (Mahonia repens)
Clusters of bright yellow flowers stand above holly-like evergreen leaves in spring. Growing just 12-18 inches tall, creeping mahonia spreads through underground stems to form colonies perfect for shaded woodland gardens.
Blue-purple berries follow the flowers, providing food for birds and creating striking color contrast against the foliage. The leathery compound leaves often take on purplish or bronzy tones in winter.
As a native plant throughout much of western North America, creeping mahonia handles drought conditions once established and rarely needs supplemental water.
13. Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Wild blueberries in your garden? This native shrub produces delicious fruits while functioning as an attractive ground cover. Growing just 6-24 inches tall, lowbush blueberry spreads through underground stems to form extensive colonies over time.
White bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, developing into small, intensely flavorful berries by midsummer. The glossy green leaves turn brilliant scarlet and purple in fall, creating spectacular autumn color.
Beyond its ornamental qualities, this plant supports native pollinators and provides food for wildlife throughout the growing season.
14. Creeping Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’)
Resembling a flowing river of dark green needles, this unusual conifer grows just 2-3 feet tall while spreading 4-6 feet wide. The soft, flattened needles create a luxurious texture unlike typical prickly conifers.
Extremely shade-tolerant, creeping plum yew thrives in locations where other evergreens fail. Female plants produce interesting plum-like fruits with a single large seed inside.
Deer typically avoid this plant, making it valuable for woodland gardens where browsing pressure is high. Its slow growth means minimal maintenance once established.
15. Russian Cypress (Microbiota decussata)
Looking like a cross between juniper and fern, Russian cypress forms a dense carpet of feathery foliage that reaches just 12 inches tall. The horizontal branches spread outward up to 6-8 feet, creating excellent erosion control on slopes.
Bright green during the growing season, the scale-like foliage turns bronzy-purple in winter, adding seasonal color to the landscape. Native to cold Siberian mountains, this tough plant handles harsh winters with ease.
Unlike many conifers, Russian cypress performs well in partial shade, making it versatile for different garden locations.